September 15, 1935 to March 23, 2015
Dr. Charles Chukwuemeka Azu passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 23, 2015.
Charles is survived by his loving wife Gail (Durald) of nearly 50 years and children, Charles, Jr. (Sara); Lisa (Tony Azu-Popow); Jonathan (Rosa); Michelle (Lloyd Allen), as well as three granddaughters and five grandsons.
Born in Southeastern, Nigeria, one of seven children, to George and Grace Azu, he came to the United States at age 16 to attend Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. He graduated from St. Louis University Medical School in 1959 where he was one of their first black graduates. He completed a surgical residency at Homer G. Phillips in St. Louis, Missouri where he met his wife Gail, an Imaging Technologist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He then attended Harvard University in 1964 where he received his Masters in Public Health. In 1974, he furthered his studies at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
A trauma surgeon who was very devoted to his patients, he kept a private practice that mainly aided residents of East Saint Louis, Missouri before retiring after 35 years. He was on staff at many of the hospitals in the St. Louis area and was known for his utmost professionalism, tireless dedication and a profound compassion especially for underserved communities.
We will miss many things about our wonderful “Papa” but especially his warm smile, heartfelt chuckle, good sense of humor, his grace under pressure and impeccable manners.
In lieu of flowers, family members ask that donations be sent to Foundations for the National Institutes of Health: http://bit.ly/1ETNypa
